Apparatus and method for cooling and moving ablation elements

Abstract

A medical device comprising a cell including an ablation element and a carrier configured to receive at least a portion of said ablation element is disclosed. The medical device further comprises a tube enclosing the cell. At least a portion of the tube includes a membrane and the tube includes at least one hole proximate the ablation element for facilitating fluid flow. The medical device further comprises a fluid inlet for providing fluid to the interior of the tube. A method of using the medical device is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical device comprising:
 a tissue ablating cell comprising:
 an ultrasonic ablation element; and 
 a carrier configured to receive said ablation element; and 
 
 a tube configured to surround and contain said cell, said tube comprising:
 a fluid inlet; 
 a fluid outlet; and 
 a membrane configured to allow transmission of ultrasonic energy through said membrane, wherein said ultrasonic ablation element is oriented within said tube to direct energy through said membrane to a tissue target. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said tube is configured to immerse said tissue ablating cell in fluid. 
     
     
       3. The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said ultrasonic ablation element is configured to transmit focused ultrasound. 
     
     
       4. The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide to which said carrier is coupled. 
     
     
       5. The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein said carrier is configured to prevent contact between said ultrasonic ablation element and said guide. 
     
     
       6. The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein said guide is a wire. 
     
     
       7. The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said carrier is configured to move relative to said tube. 
     
     
       8. The medical device of  claim 7 , wherein said carrier is configured to move longitudinally relative to said tube. 
     
     
       9. The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is configured to create a substantially continuous annular lesion. 
     
     
       10. A medical device, comprising:
 a tissue ablating cell comprising:
 an ablation element; and 
 a carrier configured to receive said ablation element; and 
 
 a tube configured to surround and contain said cell, said tube comprising:
 a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for providing fluid to an interior of said tube so as to immerse said tissue ablating cell in said fluid; and 
 a membrane configured to allow transmission of ablating energy through said membrane, wherein said ablation element is oriented within said tube to direct energy through said membrane to a tissue target. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein said membrane comprises a first material and said tube comprises a second material that is different from said first material. 
     
     
       12. The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein said membrane is configured to conform to target tissue. 
     
     
       13. A medical device comprising:
 a tissue ablating cell comprising:
 an ultrasonic ablation element; and 
 a carrier configured to receive said ablation element; and 
 
 a tube configured to surround and contain said cell, said tube comprising: 
 a fluid inlet; 
 a fluid outlet; and 
 a membrane configured to allow transmission of ultrasonic energy through said membrane, wherein said ultrasonic ablation element is oriented within said tube to direct energy through said membrane to a tissue target; and 
 a guide to which said tissue ablating cell is coupled. 
 
     
     
       14. The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein said tissue ablating cell is configured for movement along said guide. 
     
     
       15. The medical device of  claim 14 , wherein said movement is longitudinal relative to said tube. 
     
     
       16. The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein said carrier comprises multiple walls and is configured to enclose said ultrasonic ablation element. 
     
     
       17. The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein said guide is disposed adjacent a side of said ultrasonic ablation element that does not emit ablation energy. 
     
     
       18. The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein said tissue ablating cell comprises an aperture adjacent a side of said ultrasonic ablation element that does not emit ablation energy. 
     
     
       19. The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein said carrier retains a portion of said guide. 
     
     
       20. The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein said carrier separates said guide from said ultrasonic ablation element.